Minutes 01-31-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Michael Talbert said they do not have a strategic plan for solid waste. They continue to meet to examine new technologies. They closed the landfill a year ago and the interlocal agreement essentially lapsed at that point. They are trying to reinitiate that with their recycling efforts. There is not a master plan on what to do with solid waste in 5-10 years. They will continue to look at options. Right now, everything is going through Durham as the Board approved. That is a temporary short term solution — there is no long term solution. He thinks they are probably not going to site a new landfill. Chair Jacobs said the managers are trying to work on a 5 year plan to work together. A strategic plan is predicated on having partners first. The Board asked the Manager and staff to try to develop a new agreement to succeed the old one, but that's when Chapel Hill decided to bid itself out separately. Commissioner Rich asked when does the short term solution become the long term solution. She said she wondered when the County would think about being more responsible for our own trash as opposed to sending it to Durham. She noted that there may not be an answer to that right now. Commissioner Pelissier said they do need the partnerships because Orange County by itself generates so little. She agreed with the Manager that they will not site another landfill in Orange County. There is a lot of technology out there being developed that is not ready yet. For a county of our size, there isn't a clear answer out there. She said they may need to partner with others, not just the local towns but maybe Durham. Chair Jacobs said he and others met with the Durham City Mayor last year and that they had explored alternative technologies — both with and without Orange County waste - and decided they were not big enough. He said they need to find a regional solution. It's easy to say the County is not doing enough, but the problem is finding technology that is cost effective and environmentally sound, without even getting into siting issues that will be awesome, especially for a regional facility. He thinks a good thing for the Board to do at this point is to list out what should be the steps and check with the Towns to see if they are on board with the steps we have articulated. Commissioner Rich said she wanted to know if technology is not ready for them, this is the year they should check into it again. Her concern is that right now they don't have a plan. Rod Visser asked the Board to consider whether they feel the objective for this segment has been met, recognizing there will be some changes to come when the Manager's recommended CIP is presented. Paul Laughton confirmed there would be some changes related to water and sewer and with solid waste as it relates to the timeline for the Eubanks Road SWCC and High Rock Road SWCC. Some numbers will change in CIP as they are still meeting with staff. The CIP includes a large Phase 1 expansion of the SportsPlex at $950,000. Rod Visser asked if any member of the Board feels strongly about providing direction to staff about making any change to any project as presented. Commissioner Dorosin inquired if the EPA matter gets resolved on Rogers Road and the Board decides to go forward with funding the sewer, would that be folded into the CIP or some other way, assuming there is consensus that there are no more impediments to moving forward and we want to proceed expeditiously